Plant communities of the Ebenhaezer section of the Mountain Zebra National Park

Abstract:

The long-term conservation of viable ecosystems requires a broader understanding of
the ecological processes involved. Because ecosystems react differently to different
management practices, it is important to have a description and classification of the vegetation
of an area available. As part of a vegetation survey programme for the newly
acquired farms to be incorporated into the Mountain Zebra National Park, the vegetation
of the Ebenhaezer section was investigated. Ahierarchical classification, vegetation
map, description and ecological interpretation of the plant communities of the study
area are presented. ATWINSPAN classification, refined by Braun-Blanquet procedures
revealed eight distinct plant communities. Habitat factors associated with differences in
vegetation include topography, soil form and grazing. Descriptions of the plant communities
include diagnostic species as well as prominent and less conspicuous species
of the tree, shrub and herbaceous layers.